Make space in your life to be a Unisa student

Commit to your studies

Whether you are a new student or a returning student, you need to take some time to think about how you will commit to the study process. Think about what you need to put in place to stay focused and succeed in your studies.

• Where are you now in terms of your career, studies or personal circumstances?
• What are your goals? What would you like to achieve by completing your qualification?
• What steps do you need to take to reach these goals?
• Do you believe that you can complete your qualification? Remember, your biggest commitment is to yourself.
• What resources and habits do you already have that can support your success?
• What additional support or strategies will you need to put in place to stay on track?
  
  

Activity:
Write a personal success statement where you commit to completing the academic year successfully. 

"Regardless of what challenges come my way, I will get through this year because... (complete the sentence)."

Schedule your year

We know that in addition to your studies, you have other commitments. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it is important to create a structure that helps you balance your responsibilities while staying focused on your studies. Your study plan will also support you to negotiate your time with yourself and others.

To get started with your study planning, consider the following:

• Evaluate how you currently spend your time: Take stock of your daily activities and what you do with your time.
• Identify when you will study. Think about your existing commitments and the times of day when you are most productive.
• Review your priorities: Are there any activities or commitments you might put on hold until you complete your qualification?

Time management for studies is not just about finding enough hours in the day; it is about making deliberate choices with the time you have and sticking to them consistently. Effective time management requires setting priorities, focusing on tasks that will move you closer to your academic and professional goals, and making a habit of planning and reflecting. 

We recommend creating a weekly study plan to help you 

• work through your study guide/online content.
• read and study relevant sections in your prescribed books (where applicable).
• incorporate additional material as needed.
• complete  assessments.
• prepare for exams and final assessments. 

Important:
For a 12-credit module, plan to spend a total of at least 120 hours working on the module. For a 24-credit module, allocate at least 240 hours to complete the work. Download the study roster for 10 modules per year to help you with your time management. 

Consistency is key – even short, focused study period will add up over time, reducing stress and boosting retention.